Your not on the same level with EU, your 70yrs behind. Even in EU itself you can see how border less is creating friction and tension between the Western and Eastern European countries. Those countries (east and west Europe) are not equal in team of wealth, human development even their bitter history.
If you want someone to drive from Nairobi to Dar without border check, then make sure you've tighter border controls on your end. Even developed countries they make sure resources are distributed to people who are intended.
EU was created in 1993.
We created the first EAC in 1967.
We've heard a longer time to rethink, improve and perfect.
If you are waiting for countries to have an equal amount of wealth, you will wait forever because the gap between Kenya and Tazania GDP widens every year.
The only way European countries are able to compete in the world today, with big blocks like USA and China is because of the EU.
They have a greater leverage negotiating and protecting themselves from cheap imports. They have a bigger vehicle for their exports.
Right now for individual African countries to trade with other countries, you need individual deals. How is it possible for any African country to make deals individually with almost all other countries on earth?
Even UK is struggling with this post-brexit.
Europe is now Europe's biggest trade partner. In that EU member countries export more to the EU than to the rest of the world.
Here in Africa and particularly East Africa, you hear us boasting of how much Netherlands or Pakistan is our largest trading partner.
Also, in terms of border controls, don't deceive yourself that Tanzania is very desirable for greener pastures. If we were bordering South Africa, I would understand why they don't want open borders.
Open borders work in the UK because the member countries are all rich in the own way. The GDP per capitas may be different, but they are all high.
Here in EAC, they are all low.
The problem is your supreme leader's thinking, similar to Trump's, that all problems arise from immigrants. While the truth is anything but.
USA spends billions fighting terrorism, yet terrorism deaths in the US are almost zero. Gun violence on the other hand claim more than 10,000 lives a year.
You should look within for your troubles. Stop blaming immigrants.